Doctor of Education

Early Childhood Education

At the doctoral level, the specialization in Early Childhood Education prepares candidates for college teaching, research, policy, and other leadership positions in early childhood education. The program is highly selective, aiming to identify and train individuals whose prior education and experience, whether or not it has been specifically in the field of early childhood, gives promise of the ability to develop modes of inquiry suitable to the field’s complexities.

Early Childhood Policy

The Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) concentration in Early Childhood Policy prepares candidates for leadership positions, college teaching, and research in early childhood policy. The concentration is highly selective, aiming to identify and train individuals whose prior education and experience, whether or not it has been specifically in the field of early childhood, gives promise of the ability to develop modes of inquiry suitable to the field’s complexities. Combining rigorous methodological, conceptual, and practical interdis-ciplinary experiences, the program is designed for those interested in shaping the policy agenda for young children and their families. It is predicated on the principle that undergirding all policy work, candidates must have thorough understandings of both substantive content (early childhood practices, pedagogy, and theory) and research skills. While the focus of this program is on U.S. early childhood policy, there will be opportunity for international and comparative work.